During the course of the lockdown and beyond, many of us have felt the pressing need to freshen our look without stepping foot in a salon. No surprise, then, that folk were attempting DIY haircuts at home in their millions.
Interestingly, this trend has continued even as the world has opened up, with many going solo in the hope of achieving a flawless fringe and maintaining luscious locks. The results, shall we say, have been mixed.
But in reality, executing a successful DIY haircut at home is not as arduous as it may seem; all you need is a little courage, a steady hand, the right tools, and of course, proper technique.
Though the outcome may be less slick, there are certainly perks; you save money, time and perhaps even nurture a new skill. For first-timers, there are a few essential pieces of advice to bear in mind before you begin. These are those; our top tips on how to give yourself a successful DIY haircut at home.
Assemble Your Tools
Your first step towards a successful DIY haircut starts with the correct tools. An investment in a sharp pair of hairdressing scissors is essential. Kitchen scissors won’t make the cut (pun intended) as they can result in a choppy, uneven look.
Nope, this thing can’t be done with nail scissors or worse, kitchen scissors or worst, garden shears! That is how you lose an ear.
Scissors and razors are the tools that will be doing the hard work in your home DIY hairdressers, so it’s worth the investment. For the ideal home haircut which doesn’t require dexterity and contortion to get the job done, you will ideally require different types of scissors depending on your preferred hairstyle and length. Prioritise those with a ratio of long blade to small handle that leans towards the former.
You’ll also need a couple of combs with both wide and fine teeth for moving the hair around while you or a helpful housemate is cutting and styling. A water spray bottle (to dampen your hair before cutting) will be beneficial as well, and clips to section your hair are also necessary. Finally, a handheld mirror for that all-important post-cut check, is essential.
Enlist Help
Yep, we casually threw in mention of a helpful housemate in that previous paragraph for good reason. What, you thought you doing this thing alone? Let’s be honest, a safe, successful DIY home haircut is better achieved with a friend, partner or family member holding the scissors. There are hard-to-reach spots which even the most flexible of folk can’t reach. Instead, ask for assistance to avoid mishap, injury or simply ending up with an ill advised looking do.
Understand Your Hair
Recognise the texture, thickness and curl pattern of your hair. Different hair types demand different types of haircuts. For instance, curly hair can be snipped dry, as it contracts when dry and expands when wet. However, straight or wavy hair is better cut damp as it allows for more precision.
Preparation
Wash your hair thoroughly and condition it to ensure there are no knots or tangles. Dry it lightly before spraying water to make it damp. Comb through carefully to remove any knots. It’s always best to start with a clean slate!
Section Your Hair
Sectioning is very important for a well-balanced haircut. It gives you neat areas to work with and ensures you don’t miss any spots. Start by dividing your hair into four sections – two at the front and two at the back. Pin them up with your clips for control and manageability.
Go Slow
You can always add but you can’t take away. Hang on, that’s not about hair cutting. What we mean is; you should approach this home haircut thing gradually, tentatively even, as you can’t add hair back onto your head which you’ve already cut off. Well, you could, but it would be a very expensive process.
Wash & Condition Prior To Cutting
It’s always recommended that you work with squeaky clean hair for flawless DIY home haircutting. Grease and dirt can act as an impediment to gliding combs and agile strokes of the scissor blades, resulting in a cut that may not be as full and health-looking as you’d like.
So, prior to getting down to business, make sure you wash the hair with shampoo and conditioner. Dry your hair with a towel and comb to untangle any knots.
The Haircut Itself
Before anything, it’s good to make sure that those scissors are clean and sharp. If they aren’t, you may need to use a sharpener to prevent damaging your ends. One can easily test the sharpness of their scissors by taking a piece of thread, doubling it up and running the scissors through the thread without closing the scissors. A sufficiently sharp pair should cut the thread easily and cleanly.
If you’re a DIY haircut novice, it’s recommended to start with a small trim. Remember, it’s always safer to cut less, because you can always cut more, but you can’t stick the hair back once it’s been chopped!
Begin with the front sections. Comb down a small subsection, hold it between your index and middle fingers, and cautiously start cutting. Always cut vertically into the hair (known as point cutting) for a more natural look instead of a straight horizontal cut which can look overly blunt. An adventurous haircut is fine; one which got overly creative is, perhaps, not.
Next, proceed to the back which is, without a doubt, the trickiest part of a DIY haircut. Use two mirrors to have a clear view of what you’re doing. You could invite a family member to assist or use the ponytail method – a technique which involves creating low ponytails and then cutting across for an evenly layered look.
Post Cut Styling
After the cut, it’s recommended to blow-dry your new hairdo using a round brush to flip the ends to make sure the cut is even. Be scrupulous here as a few rogue spots and uneven finishes are all but guaranteed in the amateur haircut. Apply a good hairspray to hold the style in place.
We know what you’re thinking…isn’t Norway one of the most bicycle-friendly countries in the world? Shouldn’t I be getting around on public transport? Well, of course, it would be remiss of us not to encourage you to get public transport, particularly if you’re staying local to the capital Oslo, one of the world’s pedestrianisation pioneers.
In fact, many of its main cities are slowly eradicating cars from most central neighbourhoods, with vast swathes of Norway’s major urban centres completely car free. Last year, it was also reported that Oslo hadn’t suffered a single pedestrian or cyclist death in 2019, the only major city in the world to claim such a feat.
Norway is also leading the way in electric vehicles, with plans to become will the very first country (in 2025) to ban the sale of new car models with combustion engines. However, trends report that this may actually happen as early as April 2022. Wow!
While public transport is of course the best option when travelling in and around the cities of Norway, car rental is still a good option for experiencing the best of what the vast, gorgeous Norwegian countryside has to offer. Here’s how to get the very most out of your driving holiday to the country..
SEE NORWAY’S SCENERY AT YOUR OWN PACE
Hiring a car, wherever you are in the world, allows you to take in your scenic adventures at your own pace, without the demands of being dictated to by bus and train timetables. This is truer than ever for a country like Norway, where the journey truly is the destination.
Norway is renowned for its expansive road trips, with 18 designated scenic routes in the country designed to be enjoyed for the drive alone. These take you off the main roads and through the country’s incredible scenery and are well worth the cost of a hire car alone.
However, it’s not just the scenery. In fact, these roads contain some incredible feats of engineering and architecture. As the Guardian points out, Norway’s National Tourist Routes programme ”has been a great incubator for Norway’s young, vibrant architectural scene – which is respected for its daring and imagination across Europe”. Seeing world-class architecture while you enjoy the thrill of the open road? Sounds good to us! Speaking of which…
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WORLD’S BEST TOILETS
A comfort break isn’t usually something to get excited about, unless you’re really, really desperate for the toilet. Then, it can be kind of satisfying in the right sort of toilet.
But the toilets along Norway’s scenic routes are something everyone should experience, even on an empty bladder. Seriously. Some of the top ones include:
The wave-shaped Ureddplassen on the Helgeland coast
Stegastein viewpoint in the Sognefjord region
Eggum in Lofoten underneath the ruins of a German radar station
Many of these Norwegian public toilets, found along those 18 scenic roads we mentioned earlier, have been named amongst the best restrooms in the world. And whilst we’d usually be pretty reluctant to recommend a whole holiday based around toilets, for these striking spots, boasting incredible views and cutting edge architecture, you could base a road trip entirely around comfort breaks quite, erm, comfortably.
NORWAY’S RIGHT TO ROAM
In Norway, the rambler has the right of way; the country celebrates and encourages walking enthusiastically, whether that’s in the pedestrianised city centres, or out in the countryside, with dedicated footpaths and land access all around.
In fact, the country has a law called allemannsretten (everyman’s right), which basically gives its citizens and visitors the right of access or the right to roam. What this means in practice is that anyone is allowed to use the countryside, go for walks and sleep outside pretty much anywhere in the whole of Norway, even in privately owned areas. Pack a tent in your rented vehicle, and what an adventure you can have in the Land of the Midnight Sun.
EXPERIENCE THE GREEN SHORTCUT
Visit Norway encourages you to “Stop the car and explore the forests” and what a beautifully straightforward sentiment this is. It’s not just platitudes; the country has carved out one of the finest stretches of roads to do that forest exploring, in the form of the Green Shortcut.
Connecting Oslo to Norway’s third largest city Trondheim, the Green Shortcut (Riksvei 3) is a six hour drive through some of the country’s most splendid pine forests. The route also features 60 (yes, 60!) sculptures and art installations dedicated to the moose, including the Storelgen, a ten metre high metal moose by artist Linda Bakke, which marks the midway point of the drive.
The Norwegian Forest Museum (much more exciting than it sounds) can also be found along the Green Shortcut, but really, this one’s all about the drive, which reveals stunning vista after stunning vista at every turn, drop and rise in the road.
DRIVE THE RING OF WATERFALLS
Start out in the city of Bergen and explore Western Norway’s Ring of Waterfalls, a 600km drive that takes in ten of the world’s 30 highest waterfalls. The whole drive should take around 10 hours, but can be broken up into more manageable chunks, with some superb rural accommodation found peppered along the route. Incredible!
And if you’re looking for more excuses to visit, here are 4 IDEAL reasons to visit Bergen. Bon Voyage, or as they say in Norway, God Reise!
When winter comes around, some folks start dreaming of tropical beaches and sun-soaked escapes. But not everyone! A surprising number of people are drawn to winter destinations like moths to a flame – or, should we say, penguins to an iceberg? They swap their flip-flops for snow boots, their bikinis for thermals, and head towards the chill.
Indeed, whilst it might sound surprising, many people are looking for a change of scenery and a chance to embrace the freshest, briskest of seasons. Why, you ask? Well, who wouldn’t want to sip a hot toddy by a roaring fire, or carve fresh tracks on a pristine ski slope?
And let’s not forget the joy of fewer crowds; no frantic scrambles for sun loungers which escalated across Europe earlier this year either! Plus, there’s something undeniably magical about seeing your breath in the frosty air and catching snowflakes on your tongue. Yummy.
It all feels pretty poetic, travelling to pastures white during the winter season, something summer vacations simply can’t compete with. So, pack those thermals and embrace the cold with our roundup of the best cold weather destinations to visit during winter.
The Antarctic
Ideal for a plenitude of polar delights…
We had to start here. The Antarctic landscape is a winter wonderland like no other, with its expansive icebergs, glaciers, and untouched snowfields. The white vistas contrasted with the clear blue skies provide a breathtaking spectacle indeed.
If you are looking for solitude and a holiday away from the usual crowds, there is no better place than the Antarctic. It’s not every day that you can say you’re one of the few people on an entire continent – it is, after all, the only continent with no permanent human habitation.
That’s not to say it’s totally isolated; Antarctica is home to a wealth of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world. The ubiquitous penguins – particularly emperors – seals, whales, and various sea bird species delight wildlife enthusiasts each and every year. Care to join them?
The most popular (and practical way) to visit Antarctica is by cruise. Most Antarctic voyages and expeditions entail exploration of the more temperate and accessible Antarctic Peninsula, which is the northernmost part of mainland Antarctica. For those with a particular thirst for knowledge, visiting the numerous scientific research stations in this region can provide an immersive learning experience about climate change, ice core drilling, and other Antarctic research topics.
Gstaad, Switzerland
Ideal for top-notch skiing, luxury hotels and gourmet dining…
What do George Clooney, Madonna, Richard Burton, Liz Taylor, Brigitte Bardot and Roger Moore all have in common? They are just a handful of the rich and famous who have spent their festive holidays in Gstaad (pronounced it ‘Shtard).
Alongside St. Moritz, Gstaad is the Alpine village where film stars, royalty, and a certain type of entrepreneur come to play in the snow. However, despite its fame and luxury, Gstaad has retained its authentic Swiss alpine village, low-key charm with its chalet-style architecture and picturesque mountainous surroundings.
As you can imagine, Gstaad is famous for its top-tier luxury accommodations, such as the Gstaad Palace and The Alpina Gstaad. Housed in traditional chalet style buildings, rows of high end boutiques (Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier and the like) line the town’s main drag. You can eat seriously well here, too; at the time of writing, this small village boasts a whopping ten Michelin stars, one green star and four Bib Gourmands.
Should you be able to afford to charter a private jet, then good news, the town even has its own airstrip. If you can’t, you’re probably wondering if you can do Gstaad on a budget. Well you can start by staying in Saanen, just outside Gstaad and hire a car to drive into the village. You could also go off season, but that defeats the point of a winter holiday we suppose.
Val Thorens, France
Ideal for skiing and a lively après-ski scene…
The highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens offers excellent skiing conditions and a lively après-ski scene. If you’re after something properly rowdy, then visit the world-renowned apres ski bar ‘La Folie Douce’ where table dancing and partying on the piste is actively encouraged. Here, the entertainment kicks off every afternoon at 3pm, and sees dancers, live music and DJ’s make this area of Tignes as hot as an Ibiza nightclub, without melting the snow.
Alongside its après-ski scene, it’s also one of the best places in the world to actually ski. As Val Thorens is perched at an altitude of 2300 metres, this means that it has one of the most reliable snowfalls in the world, ensuring great skiing conditions from November to May. Being part of the Trois Vallées ski area, it also offers access to over 600 km of pistes, catering to all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Lapland, Finland
Ideal for winter activities and sleeping under the Northern Lights…
Whilst Lapland is home to the Santa Claus Village, there’s so much more this winter wonderland than just Father Christmas.
If you’re after an active escape, then Lapland is the ideal destination for invigorating winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and husky sledding. Hiking through snow-covered forests and frozen lakes is another one for those who are after an active holiday.
For those looking for something a little more sedate, then why not stay in a traditional log cabin with open fire pits, private saunas and outside hot tubs? Rolling in the snow afterwards isn’t compulsory, but it is one hell of an adrenaline rush! You can also lay your head down for the night in a heated glass igloo and admire the Northern Lights from your bed. Now that’s a night under the stars to remember.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Ideal for affordable luxury…
Iceland’s capital offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan culture and extraordinary natural beauty. It also caters for those looking for a luxury winter escape without quite the same premium price tag as Gstadd.
If you’re here for luxury, opt for private guided tours to enjoy Reykjavik’s attractions at your own pace. Consider hiring a luxury private vehicle for the Golden Circle tour and, for a unique experience, book a helicopter tour to see the city from a bird’s eye perspective.
Reykjavik boasts several high-end restaurants. Make reservations at places like DILL, Grillmarket, and Fish Market for a gourmet experience. To try Icelandic specialties, reserve a table at a restaurant such as Matur og Drykkur.
If luxury to you is a day at the spa, then a visit to the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa known for its mineral-rich waters, is a must. You can book a luxury package that includes a private changing room, a massage, and a meal at the on-site restaurant.
Ideal for powdery snow, night skiing and hot springs…
Niseko, the northernmost island in Japan, is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality of snow. Known as “Japow”, the area is famous for its light and fluffy powder-style snow, which is some of the best in the world. This is largely due to Siberian weather systems that bring cold air across the Sea of Japan and drop large amounts of snow on Niseko and other parts of Hokkaido.
Winter accommodation in the area is diverse and plentiful, ranging from budget-friendly options to ultra-luxurious properties. Niseko ski chalets are particularly sought-after, offering stylish private retreats with stunning mountain views and convenient slope access. Many high-end accommodations feature private onsens, gourmet kitchens and floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the spectacular snowy landscapes. For those seeking five-star service, several international hotel brands have established a presence in the region, offering world-class amenities whilst maintaining Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.
After a day on the powdery slopes, you can relax in one of the many onsens (hot springs) found in the region. This traditional Japanese pastime is a perfect way to wind down and recover from a day of winter sports.
Oh, and the food in Hokkaido is something else, largely due to its unrivalled location. Hokkaido provides a bounty of seafood, including crab (king crab, horsehair crab, and snow crab), squid, scallops, sea urchin, and a variety of fish such as salmon and herring.
Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city, is famous for its ramen which features a rich, miso-based broth and is topped with corn, butter, bean sprouts, and chashu pork – it’s the ideal restorative, warming dish in cold weather.
And though you may think that by coming on a ski holiday here, you’ll be missing out on the dairy laden cuisine of the Alps, you’d be very much mistaken; Hokkaido is famous for its dairy farming and is particularly renowned for its rich soft serve ice cream and cheese tarts. Rejoice!
Quebec City, Canada
Ideal for the very best of winter…
Visiting Quebec City in the winter can provide a genuinely unique, magical experience. Let’s start with the fact that it also hosts one of the world’s largest winter festivals, the Quebec Winter Carnival, with snow sculptures, parades, concerts, ice-skating, and traditional events like canoe races on the St. Lawrence River.
Speaking of ice skating, there are numerous rinks across the city, with the Plains of Abraham being one of the most popular. The wider region also offers a wide range of winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. If you visit in early winter, you’ll enjoy the festive Quebecois Christmas markets, filled with handmade gifts, warm mulled wine and local delicacies.
Speaking of local food, this Canadian city is deeply influenced by its French-Canadian roots, and Quebec’s thriving food scene has not gone unnoticed in recent years. In fact, Conde Nast Traveler readers last year voted Quebec City as one of the 20 Best Food Cities in the World. Unsurprisingly, the food here is a hearty affair. Traditional dishes include poutine, which features a bed of crispy french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds, tourtière, a traditional meat pie, usually made with minced pork, veal, or beef and ragoût de boulettes, a stew made with meatballs and pork hocks. Yep, that’s some heavy going, but it’s most welcome in the cold!
Sleep off all that hearty food at Hôtel de Glace, North America’s only ice hotel, which is recreated each and every winter. You’ll be thankful for the layer of fat you’ll inevitably gain from eating all that Quebecois fare!
Lake Tahoe, USA
Ideal for scenic, serene snowscapes and snow sports…
Straddling both California and Nevada, and high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a must-visit in winter. While the winters at Lake Tahoe provide lots of snow, the temperatures remain relatively mild, not often dipping below freezing. This makes the scenic lake on the California-Nevada border a fantastic destination for powder-hounds. Indeed, Tahoe is celebrated for its snow sports, especially skiing. Whether you’re a skiing beginner or a little more advanced, there are a variety of slopes to suit all levels and even some alpine and cross-country skiing, too.
If swooshing down the slopes isn’t your thing, then fear not; you can still rent a cosy cabin, ideally with a hot tub and a log fire, and enjoy the fresh alpine air at a more relaxed pace; simply sublime.
In Tahoe City itself there are also a number of art galleries and some fantastic restaurants; Christy Hill, a casual fine dining spot looking over the lake, is superb. A trip to the Donor museum and Donner Memorial State Park offers some much needed insight into the region’s history, too. And if you’re feeling lucky, a trip to the casinos in Reno provides the evening entertainment.
Salzburg, Austria
Ideal for a fairy tale winter, Christmas markets and music…
Salzburg’s winter-scape feels like something out of a fairy tale. With the snow-covered Alps as a backdrop and the city’s baroque architecture sprinkled with a layer of fresh snow, it’s a magical sight indeed.
The Salzburg Christmas Market, or Christkindlmarkt, is one of the oldest in the world, and is a magical experience with the festive decorations, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread, and the sound of Christmas carols in the air.
Speaking of music, if you’re a fan of classical variety, then Salzburg will see you right – it’s the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, after all, and is now home to the Mozart Museum where you can explore his life and works.
As you’d imagine, Salzburg is known for its concerts, operas, and festivals. It’s a cultural hotbed where you can enjoy performances at world-class venues like the Salzburg Festival Hall. Oh, and Salzburg is famous for being the filming location for ‘The Sound of Music’. You can even take a themed tour around the city and visit iconic spots from the movie!
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Ideal winter destination for food lovers..
Laid back Scandi cool is defined here, as well as that famed hygge, so expect cosiness and charm in bucketloads in Copenhagen.
One of the best parts of a winter trip here is most certainly the food, with Copenhagen being one the world’s leading culinary destinations. The food scene in Copenhagen is not just diverse but also innovative, especially during the winter season. It’s home to multiple Michelin-starred restaurants like Noma and Geranium, both are renowned for cutting-edge ‘New Nordic’ cuisine, which emphasises local, seasonal produce. Moreover, the city’s signature ‘hygge’ dining provides warm, cosy dining experiences that make you want to linger and really enjoy your meal.
Oh, and come the season to be jolly, Copenhagen’s Christmas markets are culinary heavens, serving up famous Danish Christmas foods like æbleskiver and Gløgg. Bakeries burst with a variety of pastries, and their warming cinnamon rolls are the perfect breakfast on a cold day.
Prague in winter is a wonderland, with a tranquil ambiance and enchanting beauty that makes it an ideal spot for a romantic winter escape. Often referred to as “City of a Hundred Spires”, when enveloped in a blanket of snow it becomes a mesmerising sight to behold. Its cobblestone streets exude charm, while the city’s Gothic and Bohemian Baroque architecture provides a captivating backdrop, perfect for couples seeking an intimate cold weather getaway.
Come Christmas, the city’s magical Christmas markets, particularly the ones at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, are places with romance oozing from every corner. Think twinkling lights and the intoxicating smell of mulled wine and traditional Trdelník.
Be sure to venture to Charles Bridge early in the morning, with the frost-kissed towers and the Vltava River’s tranquillity, it’s the epitome of romantic serenity. Prague’s fairy-tale castle complex, adorned with a dusting of snow, becomes even more awe-inspiring, offering panoramic views of the city that are breathtakingly beautiful.
To finish, an evening cruise on the Vltava River or a classical music concert in a historic church adds that final flourish to any romantic sojourn.
Oooh, we’re feeling a little hot and bothered after that – we’re off for a frolic in the snow!
Indeed, in recent years, the luxury travel market has evolved, making the previously unreachable high-life now increasingly accessible to a wider audience, meaning the epitome of luxury holidaying is no longer a distant dream, but a reality within everyone’s grasp.
These lavish retreats, from tranquil beachfront sanctuaries to glittering high-rise palaces, create a world where decadent comfort, evocative experiences, and affordability harmoniously intertwine. Anyway, enough of the fluff; today we’re exploring 5 of Asia’s most luxurious resorts. Care to join us? Of course you do…
Luxurious Resorts On The Other Side Of The World
Allow us a little more scene setting, fluffy or otherwise…
Imagine waking up to the soft rustling of palm leaves, exotic bird calls, and the lapping of waves upon pristine shores. That’s the essence of the luxury resorts on our list: a blend of sensory pleasures that define lavishness.
What sets these resorts apart isn’t just their mind-blowing grandeur. But it’s also the artful blend of heritage and modernity; traditional designs speak volumes, while modern amenities are at the click of your fingers (or, you know, a phone call or message – it’s a little more polite!).
Serenity & Splendour: Aman Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo, an elegant metropolis where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously, is home to Aman Tokyo: an architectural masterpiece offering an idyllic retreat from the urban hustle.
Aman Tokyo, perched atop Otemachi Tower, strikes an ideal balance between city life and serenity. Inspired by Japanese design elements like ikebana arrangements, washi paper doors, and engawa platforms, Aman Tokyo is an elegant getaway. Offering private villas designed by master craftspeople, luxurious spa services, and culinary journeys that fuse flavours from around the globe, this resort encapsulates refined, urban luxury.
A Gaming Paradise: Nuwa Macau Of The City Of Dreams Resort, Macau
Are you looking for a world where luxury meets entertainment? Well, look no further than Macau, Asia’s answer to Vegas.
The City of Dreams casino resort on Macau’s Cotai Strip consists of three casinos, four hotels, around thirty restaurants and bars as well as The Boulevard: an energetic retail zone bustling with activity. This luxury casino resort provides a stimulating environment to visitors, with food, live entertainment and plenty of table games.
Nuwa Macau elevates luxury to an art form with its exquisite 5-star sanctuary offering 300 magnificent rooms and suites, including 33 lavish villas.
A Coastal Oasis: Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia
Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia’s azure waters offers the ideal coastal dreamscape. A perfect blend of natural beauty and lavish comforts, the resort delivers an idyllic escape for anyone searching for peace.
Song Saa Private Island was meticulously constructed with sustainability at heart, reflecting Cambodia’s coastal splendour in every corner. A sanctuary designed around nature, using native resources sourced locally and skillfully built by local artisans. This tropical haven is renowned for its private beaches, sprawling wooden villas, tranquil spa retreats, and immaculate coral reef. Song Saa Private Island invites guests to escape busy modern life for some peace and serenity with simple luxury.
Connecting With Nature: Amanfayun, China
Hangzhou, China, surrounded by lush tea fields and bamboo groves, is home to Amanfayun. A luxury resort that demonstrates a profound connection to the outdoors. Not just an idyllic getaway spot, this retreat embodies living a lifestyle that honours nature.
Nestled within a stunning valley, Amanfayun stands as an oasis of comfort amid lush tea plantations, peaceful woodlands, and seven age-old Buddhist temples. Not forgetting their incredible proximity to West Lake which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cobblestone pathways lead through serene courtyards to uncover 46 tranquil lodgings, some of which are over a century old.
Bali, with its rich cultural traditions, is home to Capella Ubud; an elegant luxury resort that artfully merges Balinese heritage and luxurious living.
Capella Ubud is nestled amidst verdant woodlands and perfectly blends into nature’s embrace. Inspired by European settlers of the 1800s who thrived through exploration, architect Bill Bensley designed it as an ode to their pioneering spirit. And it’s more than just another hotel. This resort reveals itself as an elegant camp, providing an exceptional encounter among Bali’s lush natural surroundings. Boasting 22 one-bedroom tents and one two-bedroom lodges each equipped with their own saltwater pools for intimate connection to their environment.
Phew, we’ve made it to the end of our tour of Asia’s premier luxury resorts, and what memories we made along the way… Wasn’t too arduous, now was it?
We hope you didn’t mind tagging along as we experienced opulence blended seamlessly with culture, nature, and innovation. Now, where are you taking us in return?
A kitchen is said to be the heart of every home. It is a place of nourishment, of creativity, and of shared stories. When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, though, ‘luxury’ is a word that often springs to mind.
Whether it’s for its elegant aesthetics or for its unique, confident features, there’s something striking – awe-inspiring, even – about a well-designed luxury kitchen. However, when this luxury veers down the path of tailored specificity, becoming a ‘bespoke’ feast for all the senses, it enters a whole new league of its own. With all that in mind, here are 7 features that define a bespoke luxury kitchen.
Understanding ‘Bespoke’ In Interior Design
In interior design parlance, the term ‘bespoke’ refers to the practice of crafting something unique and customised to the specific needs, desires, and aesthetics of the client. A bespoke kitchen is a veritable embodiment of your personal taste and lifestyle, handcrafted and meticulously planned down to each minute detail. Unlike an off-the-shelf unit, bespoke luxury kitchens are exclusive and individual to your home. It’s not just a kitchen; it’s your kitchen – a reflection of your personality and oh-so immaculate taste.
Now, let’s dive into the captivating world of bespoke luxury kitchens and explore the nine features that truly define them.
High-Quality Materials
When it comes to custom-made kitchens that are striving for luxury, only the highest quality materials make the cut. Indeed, the materials used in these kitchens are chosen not only for their exceptional quality but also for their aesthetic appeal. Some of the materials considered most ‘premium’ for use in the kitchen include:
Granite
Granite is a luxurious, premium kitchen material loved for its unique aesthetics and longevity. Each slab of granite is unique, making your kitchen countertop distinct.
Marble
Another opulent material associated with luxury and elegance. Whether used for countertops or flooring, it can give your kitchen a sophisticated appearance.
Quartz
Quartz kitchen worktops are high-quality, durable, and require less maintenance than granite or marble, making them a luxurious choice.
Bespoke Hardwoods
Exotic and high-end hardwoods like teak, walnut, or oak can be used for bespoke cabinetry, creating a warm, luxurious feel.
Stainless Steel
High-grade stainless steel has a professional aesthetic and is incredibly durable. It’s often used in luxurious, modern kitchens for appliances, sinks, and even worktops.
Glass
Bespoke, back-painted glass splashbacks add a touch of opulence to any kitchen. They’re available in a range of colours and finishes, allowing for complete customisation.
Copper
Copper sinks or fixtures can add a touch of luxury and an interesting contrast in material and colour.
Slate
This premium material is often used for flooring or worktops. It’s beautiful, durable, and adds a unique, high-end look to your kitchen.
Gold Accents
Gold, whether it be in taps, handles, or light fixtures, can add a sense of glamour and luxury to your kitchen.
Hand-painted or uniquely designed ceramic can add a touch of luxury, especially when used for splashbacks or as an accent.
All that said, it’s vital to remember that the best materials for your kitchen will depend not only on your budget but also on your lifestyle and the kitchen’s use. Some materials, whilst luxurious, require more maintenance and might not be suitable for heavy-use kitchens.
Custom Cabinetry & Other Innovative Storage Solutions
From pull-out larders to hidden drawers and corner cabinets, a bespoke luxury kitchen must come with innovative storage solutions that not only meet all your storage needs but also help to maintain the sleek and uncluttered look that is characteristic of luxury kitchens.
Perhaps most pertinent here, a signature characteristic of bespoke luxury kitchens is custom cabinetry. It allows you the freedom to pick the perfect blend of design, material, colour and hardware, resulting in cabinetry that seamlessly blends into your kitchen’s aesthetic and meets all your specific storage needs.
Designing your own cabinetry according to those needs helps you to eke out more storage space in your kitchen, too, allowing awkward corners, tricky nooks and other seemingly ‘dead’ spaces to be turned into intricately designed bespoke cabinets.
Smart (Or Heritage!) Appliances
The hallmark of a contemporary luxury kitchen is smart, technologically advanced appliances. From touch-operated hobs to smart fridges that help manage your groceries, these appliances offer a blend of convenience, efficiency, and futuristic design. Some of the top contemporary smart appliance brands include:
Samsung: This tech giant manufactures a wide range of smart kitchen appliances, including Family Hub refrigerators that feature Wi-Fi enabled touch screens, enabling you to manage your groceries, connect with family, and entertain like never before.
LG: LG’s sleek ThinQ line includes smart dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators that can be controlled with an app or your voice assistant, and are designed to learn and adapt to your habits for more personalized and efficient performance.
Bosch: Bosch is renowned for its smart ovens and ranges which can be controlled via the Home Connect app, and its fridges equipped with cameras inside, so one can check their content remotely.
GE Appliances: Their range includes smart refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves which can be integrated with Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, and several other platforms.
Whirlpool: The Whirlpool Corporation is known for its smart appliances which can be controlled through the Whirlpool app to assist with cooking, laundry, and maintaining your home.
Miele: This German manufacturer offers a range of smart appliances, from coffee machines to ovens, that can be controlled and monitored via Miele’s own mobile app.
Thermador: With the Home Connect app, Thermador’s smart appliances offer customizable control, including remote start and personalized settings, to help users streamline their cooking process.
On the flipside and flying in the face of cutting edge technology, heritage appliances can also bring a hugely luxurious feel to a kitchen. Start with the heart of the kitchen, the range. An AGA range, with its distinctive British craftsmanship and magnificent heat control, melds both functionality and style, giving kitchens a warm, inviting presence. When combined with other traditional features like a farmhouse sink – also known as an apron-front sink – there’s a real sense of rustic, elegant charm.
Continuing with a theme, consider adding a vintage-style refrigerator, such as the ones from Smeg or Big Chill Retro, which not only provides modern performance but also brings a sprinkle of vibrant, cheerful aesthetic reminiscent of the 1950s. Lastly (and whilst not an appliance, per se) a pot rack made of wrought iron or aged brass, with its sturdy utility and classic form, can replicate the genial ambiance of a centuries-old European kitchen.
Tailored Lighting
In bespoke luxury kitchens, lighting is more than just a functional feature; it is a design statement. Customised lighting solutions can enhance the mood, highlight architectural details, and emphasise the room’s overall design, showing your kitchen in its very best light.
Some of the most sophisticated types of lighting for a luxury kitchen often include pendant lights, under-cabinet lighting, and recessed lighting. Pendant lights, particularly when arranged over an island or dining area, can offer an elegant combination of function and style. In addition, they come in a variety of designs, from crystal chandeliers to minimalistic metal fixtures, enabling them to easily correspond with your kitchen’s aesthetic.
Under-cabinet lighting can provide an intimate, yet practical lighting source that highlights your work surfaces and backsplash. Recessed lighting, embedded in the ceiling, offers a clean and contemporary look whilst illuminating the entire space evenly. Lastly, accent lighting, such as picture lights or spotlights, can be used to draw attention to artwork or decorative elements, adding a final touch of class to your luxury kitchen.
Bespoke Kitchen Islands
Though some may have suggested kitchen islands are outdated, we still firmly believe they are the embodiment of luxury in the heart of the home, providing not only an additional laptop space but also serving as an entertaining spot. Whether it’s a built-in wine cooler, stand-in study space or a breakfast nook, bespoke islands can be customised to your exact requirements, shaping the function of the kitchen space any way you deem fit. And it’s that autonomy that defines the whole ‘bespoke’ thing, don’t you think?
Luxury Worktops
With bespoke kitchens, the worktops go beyond function, becoming a central design statement of intent, shaping the aesthetic of the room and its sense of tactileness. Whether you choose granite or quartz, marble or even solid wood, a luxury worktop merges durability with an impeccable aesthetic.
Last but certainly not least, a bespoke luxury kitchen unanimously, unstintingly carries a personalised aesthetic that’s reflective of the homeowner’s taste and lifestyle. Whether it’s a particular colour scheme, layout, theme, or style, the aesthetic of the kitchen is uniquely yours.
The Bottom Line
The features of a bespoke luxury kitchen are a testament to the power of personalisation in crafting a space that’s not only splendidly luxurious but also tells a unique story – your story. When all these elements come together beautifully, the result is a functional masterpiece that adds value, beauty, and luxury to your home.
The island of Phuket is famous for many things; its beautiful beaches, charming architecture and, of course, a sometimes insalubrious nightlife. But the reason we keep returning to the island is undoubtedly for its cuisine, which is truly some of the best in the world.
Indeed, food is a major part of Phuket’s cultural identity. Named as a creative food city by UNESCO, the island’s blend of Thai, Chinese-Thai, Indian and Malay influences has shaped the gastronomic landscape of Phuket in myriad ways, making it a destination for anyone who loves to dine just as diversely as they do deliciously.
As an island that overlooks the Andaman Sea, and in a country whose cuisine is one of the most fish-loving there is, Phuket is, of course, known for its seafood, with crabs, prawns and lobster taking centre stage, as well as plenty of seabass, trevally and Spanish mackerel hitting the menus, the deep-fat fryers and the grills. Hell, even the seasonings here revolve around the sea, with fish sauce and shrimp paste both major players in just about every bowl.
Design by IDEAL image by Tamkarnwela
No surprise, then, that the seafood dining scene in Phuket offers a wide range of options, from floating fish markets that change into restaurants come evening all the way to well-established culinary icons. There are a plethora of Phuket resorts with quality seafood offerings too – although we suggest missing the all-you-can-eat seafood buffets that some resorts offer and, instead, making a sharkline for one of these places; the best Phuket restaurants that every seafood lover should try.
Mor Mu Dong, Chalong
Ideal for some of the best southern Thai food on the island….
We had to start here. If you’re after the best, most interesting southern Thai food in Phuket, then it’s to Mor Mu Dong you must head. This off-the-beaten-track restaurant made up of rustic salas and sitting atop a mangrove swamp offers Thai food with a sense of place, and doesn’t compromise on spice one jot. It’s one of the most famous restaurants on the island for a reason.
The must-order here is the stuffed mackerel (pla too yat sai); the restaurant’s signature dish and a work of pure genius. When it arrives at the table, it looks like a straightforward fried mackerel, but inside is where the surprise lies. Spoiler alert: the fish has been totally deboned, the flesh mixed with red curry paste and then stuffed back inside the fish before being fried.
The result is a stuffing that sits somewhere between a sai ua sausage and the beloved Thai fish custard hor mok, the fact that the sausage ‘casing’ is, you know, a whole bloody fish confounding every first-timer’s expectations. It’s magic.
Don’t stop there; the nahm prik relish – the main ingredient fermented shrimp paste pounded with chillies and here blessed with dried anchovies added for crunch – is a textual delight. It’s not the last time you’ll hear about this dip today.
And it wouldn’t be a southern Thai restaurant without gaeng som (sour yellow curry) and the island’s classic crab yellow curry; both of them here arriving thicker and more luscious than their more ubiquitous soupy cousins, but no worse for it. It’s a fantastic spread, make no mistake, that is of course completed with plenty of steamed jasmine rice.
Since taxis are so prohibitively expensive in Phuket, consider hiring a motorbike just to eat restaurant Mor Mu Dong’s stuffed mackerel. It’s that good. Just be careful on the roads and always wear a helmet.
Oh, and if you order too much, just ask to take the rest home (‘’klub baan’’) and enjoy the spoils of your trip again later (probably, let’s face it, as a midnight snack the same day).
They say that you should never eat seafood on a Monday, but this couldn’t be further from the truth at One Chun in Phuket, whose name literally translates to ‘Monday’.
The sister restaurant of the esteemed Raya, known for serving up some of the best southern Thai food on the island, on our list it’s One Chun that just pips it, with a menu that leans a little more heavily on things from the sea. And hey, if you’re looking for more arbitrary reasons, Raya’s signature dish is braised pork belly, rather than fish…
…Anyway, fresh crab is always big news in Phuket, and some of the island’s best dishes revolve around a generous serving of the sweet white meat. The amount of the stuff in One Chun’s famous yellow crab curry feels downright philanthropic. In England, being this liberal with the crab would bankrupt a restaurant. Here, it’s standard, with several fist-sized chunks gracing each and every bowl of this rich, super spicy curry.
You wouldn’t go to a Thai family-run restaurant and order a single bowl. That would be sacrilege and this thing is about harmony across the table, so do yourself a favour and order the pert, piquant prawns with stink beans, too. The sator (stink bean) are a big part of southern Thai cooking as they thrive in the climate, and when paired with prawns and a lime-forward shrimp paste-heavy dressing, it’s alchemy on the plate.
Back to that balance, and ordering the lon relish is a wise move here. Rich and soothing with coconut cream, it can offer some sweet relief from the spicier side of the island’s cooking.
While the quality of the food is the primary reason you should visit One Chun, the decor is also splendid, with funky retro vibes all round, reflective of the colourful dynamics of its Phuket Old Town neighbourhood. The owner has a background in fashion and you can sense her taste for design in every detail; it’s an all round great experience to dine here. Especially on a Monday…
Ideal for southern Thai seafood with a Chinese twist…
Design by IDEAL image from tae208 via Canva
You know what every chef and food writer with an Anthony Bourdain poster on their wall will tell you; ‘’eat where the locals are eating’’.
Well, the eponymous Go Ang is reliably, resolutely packed with locals every evening (5pm to around midnight), taking respite from Phuket’s hotter days in the air conditioned dining room and indulging in seafood cooked to order by the talented owner, a man who has been doing his thing here for decades. He’s such a legend, the whole restaurant is named after him, in fact.
Anyway, that seafood comes in daily from several markets who Go Ang has built up a trusting relationship with over the years, and there’s often no better guarantor of the freshest stuff than a relationship like that.
The fried mantis shrimp with garlic is superb, these alien looking creatures a little tough to peel, sure (mind out for those spikes!), but the reward within is well worth a few nicks and cuts.
For something a little different, try the yum kai mangda talay (horseshoe crab salad). Essentially, it’s a spicy green mango salad made with the pungent eggs of the horseshoe crab – a delicacy in Thailand – all tossed together and served back in its shell. It’s a sharp, funky affair that’s sure to thrill.
For something a little more familiar, don’t miss the crab fried rice, which boasts plenty of wok hei and, yep, plenty of white crab meat. Do be aware that, due to the one-man-band vibe on the woks and at the stoves, the food sometimes takes a little while to arrive here, but it’s well worth the wait.
Ideal for a taste of Phuket’s famous native lobster…
Rawai is one of the best beach towns to base yourself in Phuket, the vibe more laid back than its rowdy cousin up the road Patong, but still with enough energy to keep things fresh and lively at pretty much any hour of the day.
If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll be particularly well fed in Rawai, and Mook Manee is perhaps our favorite restaurant in the area. You can’t miss it, as it has huge seafood tanks outside and streams of punters as soon as the sun starts dappling across the Adaman.
Indeed, though it’s open from 11:30am, you’ll want to settle into the al fresco terrace dining space at around 5pm, taking in the sunset as the sea seemingly turns to silk, and the tempo changes as you crack open a shell and a bottle or two.
Local Phuket lobster (kung mungkorn or seven coloured lobster) is the order of the day here. Though this most revered of crustaceans graces the menu of most reputable seafood restaurants in Phuket, Mook Manee is considered the best seafood restaurant in Phuket to come for local lobster. Choose yours from the tank outfront, then decide how you want it cooked – steamed, grilled, fried… You get the picture.
Mook Manee’s crab in roasted chilli sauce is an excellent version, not as teeth-shatteringly sweet as some renditions you’ll find here and in Bangkok, the Thai basil generous and bringing fresh aniseed notes to every bite.
For a slightly more hands on experience, then just outside the restaurant you’ll see the seafood market in full swing. You can even buy your seafood from the market and they’ll chuck it on the barbecue for you – the cooking fee here is around 100 baht per kg. Speaking of which…
If you can’t get a table at Mook Manee (though it seats 300 people, it does fill up), you could do worse than heading to the Rawai Sea Gypsy market. Located to the left of Rawai Pier, this open air seafood market has dozens of stalls operated by different local families, selling stuff from the sea of all shapes and sizes, all lined up in buckets and tanks for your pleasure.
Design by IDEAL images from Monica Todica’s, wasanti, Borirak & dontree_m via Canva
Bring your most discerning eye and choose yours before heading across the road to a cluster of restaurants that are waiting to cook it up for you. It’s a convivial, chaotic experience that’s well worth doing at least once while you’re on the island.
If you can’t decide, Mook Dee is a solid choice. They charge a cooking fee of 100 baht per kg. Khun Pha is another good option, and at 75 baht per kg, it’s a little cheaper, too. Speaking of price, whilst eating barbecued seafood certainly isn’t the cheapest meal on the island, you’d be paying at least triple for a similar meal in the UK! And let’s face it, it wouldn’t be nearly as good as this…
Ideal for charming, casual outdoor dining with a sea view
Another one from Rawai…
The best seats in the house at this casual seafood eatery aren’t actually in the house but, rather, in the outdoor seating area opposite the main restaurant, with a charming stone table, picnic bench seating and a wicked view of the sea.
The menu at Salaloy is extensive – a little intimidating, even, at first glance – so we’d suggest a plate of miang kham as you inspect the tome a little further.
These ‘betel’ leaf wraps come with an ‘assemble yourself’ situation of thinly sliced chillies, diced ginger, cubes of pink shallot, roasted peanuts, toasted coconut, and tiny dried shimp, all pulled together with a sweet, salty galangal caramel. The perfect one-bite encapsulation of John Torode trotting out the ol’ ‘’Thai is a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy’’, it’s a great way to start a meal, and pairs brilliantly with an ice cold Singha.
If you’re still looking at that menu and feeling a little rudderless, we think that the soft shell crabs here are the standout. Alongside, deep-fried sillago fish comes dosed with a raft of deep fried turmeric and garlic, a true southern staple. If you’re after something more refreshing, then you can’t go wrong with goong chae nam pla, a Thai ceviche of sorts where raw prawns are gently cured in Thai fish sauce and lime juice, and served with sliced cloves of garlic, chillies and nahm jim seafood.
Ideal for seeing exactly where your fish comes from
Fresh seafood on a floating restaurant? Count us in! Phuket is home to a few popular floating restaurants including Bang Mud Seafood – a belter no doubt – but our favourite is Kruvit Raft, which pulls its fish out from the sea in front of you in the style of a magician finding doves up its sleeve. It’s quite the show.
To get here, you need to take a 5 minute longtail boat ride from Laem Hin Pier on Phuket’s east coast, and head in the direction of tiny Coconut Island (Koh Maphrao).
Kruvit Raft, known locally as ‘Kra Chang’ (the fishing basket) sits somewhere between the two islands, a massive floating raft that’s home to a handful of great seafood restaurants, with Kru Sawit and Bang Mud Seafood among the best.
Design by IDEAL image by Kanomsky via Canva
Simply cast your eye over the nets below the raft, point out what you fancy eating, and a restaurant hand will fish it out for you. What could be fresher than that?
Check out the local oysters here, several times larger than native UK ones, and requiring portioning before eating! That said, in our experience at Kruvit Raft, it’s the whole fish that’s particularly good, the deep fried grouper with tamarind-forward three flavoured sauce a highlight.
Do be aware that Kruvit Raft and the fishing villages that surround it are a little way out from Phuket Old Town and even further from Patong and Rawai, so you might want to make a day of it here. Not to worry, as there’s one more cracking place to eat seafood in Phuket that we have to recommend…
Not one for boats? Then you’ll be pleased to know that right next to Laem Hin Pier there is an excellent seafood restaurant called Laem Hin Seafood. Tables are set on a long wooden terrace jetting out into the sea, and the atmosphere here is calm and collected, a world away from the notorious Bangla Road.
Since the restaurant is on the east coast of the island, it doesn’t offer a sunset view, but it’s still a gorgeous spot for a sundowner as the sky turns shades of pink, purple and orange. Just be sure to bring your mosquito repellent!
Design by IDEAL image from waewekid via Canva
Once you’ve got your protective layer on, order the sea grapes, known locally as sarai puang a-ngoon, and a real delicacy in these parts. With little pops of saltiness akin to caviar with each bite, it’s easy to see why. Take this alongside a jellyfish salad, if you’re feeling adventurous.
The nahm prik gapi (a shrimp paste relish) is a fine version, too, not pounded to oblivion but left a little chunky in places, and all the better for it. With a clutch of local vegetables and foraged herbs for dipping, it’s a gorgeously succinct taste of Phuket, and one which will linger on the palate long after we leave you.
For many people, nothing could feel less risky than being cocooned all day at home, laptop on your lap and firing off a few friendly emails.
But complacency, as any successful homeworker knows, breeds failure. And, in some extreme circumstances, could also lead to injury. Indeed, working from home possesses a surprising number of health and safety risks. And since remote working is probably here to stay, it’s time to face them head on rather than brush them under the carpet (you’ve really got time for brushing during the working day?!).
With that in mind, here are 9 health and safety risks homeworkers should be looking to mitigate.
Who’s Responsible For Accidents While Working From Home?
Firstly, we should probably deal with the small print – you know, that part at the end of the advert that the voiceover reads really darn quickly.
Here’s the thing; every employer has a duty of care for their employees. This means that your employer has a legal responsibility to ensure your health and safety, even if you’re working from home. They should carry out risk assessments of your home workspace and help you make any changes that you need, as well as give you information on how to keep your working environment safe. If they fail to uphold this responsibility and you suffer in an accident as a result, then you could be able to make a personal injury claim to seek compensation.
However, you also have a duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety while working at home. You need to keep your employer informed of any health and safety risks in your working environment, as well as any changes that you need to make.
9 Health And Safety Risks For Home Workers
There are several health and safety risks you should be aware of while remote working, of which we think these are the most essential to address proactively…
Poor Workstation Set Up
Having a bad working space at home can cause a variety of health problems, including musculoskeletal injuries and eyesight problems.
It’s safe to say that not everyone has an ergonomic home office setup. Working from the sofa, the kitchen counter, or in some cases, your bed, can lead to strain on your neck, back, wrists, and eyes, which can be exacerbated by bad posture.
Ask yourself the following questions to ensure your workstation doesn’t pose a risk:
Are both your feet firmly on the floor?
Are your arms and things horizontal?
Is your back supported?
Is all your equipment easy to reach?
Is the top of your screen roughly at eye height?
Are you facing your screen squarely?
Countermeasure: Invest in ergonomic chairs and keyboard rest pads. Position your laptop or monitor at eye level, and take regular breaks to stretch.
Increased Screen Time
With no commute and potentially longer working hours, screen time can significantly increase when working from home, leading to digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome.
Countermeasure:Follow the 20-20-20 rule, by looking away from your screen for 20 seconds at something that is 20 feet away every 20 minutes. Consider using blue light glasses to minimise eye strain.
Increased Sedentary Behaviour
The lack of a daily commute or a walk to the lunchroom can significantly reduce your physical activity, leading to weight gain, cardiovascular issues, and other health problems.
Countermeasure: Incorporate short bouts of physical activity all through your day. This could include a quick walk around the block or a few minutes of stretching or yoga.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
Spending more time at home can expose you to allergens or pollutants in your indoor environment, which can aggravate respiratory conditions.
Countermeasure: Regularly clean and ventilate your workspace. Using an air purifier or keeping indoor plants can also improve air quality.
Countermeasure: Establish clear boundaries for work and personal time. Connect virtually with colleagues for social interaction, and consider seeking professional help if feelings of anxiety or depression persist.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
RSI can develop from repeated physical movements doing damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues, a condition commonly associated with poor ergonomic setup.
Countermeasure: Create an ergonomic workspace and take regular short breaks. Consider using speech recognition software if typing is causing strain.
Noise Pollution
Continuous exposure to high levels of noise can cause stress, affect concentration, and lead to hearing problems.
Countermeasure: Use noise-cancelling headphones, designate a quiet space as a workspace, or consider soundproofing your workspace if possible.
Slips, Trips & Falls
Falling injuries are just as relevant in the home working environment as they are in the office, with disorganised objects often being more likely to be present at home.
Countermeasure: You need to ensure that the floor is free from any obstacles that could cause a fall, including loose paperwork, tangles of wires or cables, and unsecured carpets or rugs.
Fire Safety
Proper fire safety is a must for your home office, especially if you need to use electrical equipment for your job.
Countermeasure: Ensure all electrical cords are in good working condition, with not internal electrics being exposed. Take care not to overload any sockets or wires and replace any equipment that gives off excessive amounts of heat.
The Bottom Line
Working from home undoubtedly presents a unique set of health and safety challenges. However, by acknowledging these risks and taking proactive steps, we can create a home workspace that isn’t just productive, but also promotes our wellbeing. After all, a healthier, safer workspace at home is not just a legal requirement – it’s a solid foundation for work-life balance and job satisfaction.
There’s a universal sigh of relief that echoes around the world as bra wearers unclasp their bras at the end of the day. It’s like a symphony of liberation and a chorus of comfort, all rolled into one.
There are few better feelings than when unhooking those little clasps of confinement, slipping the straps off your arms, pulling the bra out of your sleeve and then ceremoniously flinging it across the room. Finally releasing your breasts from the shackles of your bra is one of the day’s finest moments, that’s for sure. Let ‘em out, free at last, indeed.
Most women have a love-hate relationship with bras, a garment that is as much a source of confidence as it is of discomfort. On the one hand (or, rather, the shoulder) bras are celebrated for their ability to provide support and shape, enhancing the silhouette under clothing. They can add a hint of lift and volume, making even the most casual loungewear look better. On the other hand, bras can be a source of immense frustration.
Yep, traditional bras can be uncomfortable and restrictive, especially during physical activity or in hot weather. The constant need for adjustment, the struggle to find the perfect fit, and the challenge of hiding bra straps under clothing can be exasperating. Not to mention the discomfort caused by sweating under your bra during summer, and the tedious process of washing them. Grrr…
While it’s not of course necessary to wear a bra at all, despite these grievances, bras remain an essential part of a woman’s wardrobe. But different occasions call for different bras, and if you have something of a love-hate relationship with bras, then this article may just help you like them a little bit more. Here’s your IDEAL guide to the different types of bras out there.
The T-shirt Bra
The Ideal everyday, no-drama, comfort-loving bra…
A T-shirt bra is the unsung hero of the lingerie world. It’s like the secret agent of bras, seamlessly blending into any outfit, providing undercover support and ensuring a smooth silhouette. Indeed, a t-shirt bra is designed to be more or less undetectable under a tight-fitting t-shirt, skirt, or any taut outerwear, with seamless, smooth cups that don’t show any lumps, lines, or textures through your top.
T-shirt bras can be both wire-free or underwired, and they come in various styles like push-ups, plunge and full-coverage, to name but three. They’re ideal for providing a streamlined silhouette, making them a popular choice for everyday wear.
The Sports Bra
Ideal for keeping your breasts in check while you’re active…
A sports bra is a workout warrior’s best friend, designed to keep your breasts in check while you’re breaking a sweat. It’s like a bouncer for your boobs, ensuring no unnecessary bouncing occurs during your high-intensity Zumba class!
Oh, and this news just in; a well-fitting sports bra improves performance and can help you train for longer. A good sports bra should minimise breast movement, reduce discomfort, and prevent potential damage to chest ligaments, and according to research, some of the best sports bras can reduce breast bounce by up to 83%, which is more than twice as much as a normal bra.
By Photobalance from Getty Images
The Racerback Bra
Ideal for when you don’t want your bra straps to show…
A racerback bra is a type of bra where the straps come together in a V or T shape on the back, between the shoulder blades.
Racerback bras are designed with a wider strap that covers a larger portion of your back, with this design intended to provide more support (great for women with larger busts) and prevent the straps from slipping off the shoulders. As such, racerback bras are often used for sports or for wearing underneath clothing when you don’t want your bra straps to show.
The Plunge Bra
Ideal for that plunging dress…
A plunge bra is specifically designed with a deep ‘V’ neckline and angled cups that push the breasts inwards and upwards towards the centre of the chest. This creates an enhanced cleavage line and allows for more versatility with different necklines, particularly low-cut tops or dresses. The straps on plunge bras are generally set wider apart and are ideal for clothes that expose more of your chest or shoulders.
The Bralette
Ideal for maximum comfort…
A bralette is the laid-back cousin of the traditional bra. It’s like a crop top and a bra had a baby, resulting in a wire-free, padding-free, comfort-loving undergarment.
In all seriousness, a bralette is a lightweight, unstructured bra that lacks cups or wires, and is designed for comfort and rather than support. The bra designers at Bleuet tell us that they are also ideal for small to medium bust sizes, making them a great entry bra for teens.
By Gina Fiorito from Getty Images via Canva
The Balconette Bra
Ideal for flaunting cleavage and saying “Hello world, here I am!”…
A balconette bra, or the ‘balcony bra’, is like the pin-up girl of lingerie. It’s got wider straps, shorter cups, and a vintage vibe. Offering half or three-quarter coverage, it’s named for its resemblance to the balustrades of a balcony and is designed to lift the breasts to enhance their appearance, shape, and cleavage.
As the straps are usually set wider apart, which enables the wearers to have a wide neckline, the balconette bra is especially suitable for wearing with low-cut tops or dresses, due to its design.
By Serhii Yevdokymov via Canva
The Halterneck Bra
Ideal for the summer…
The halterneck bra, a summer wardrobe staple, is the superhero of bras. It’s got your back (and front) covered, literally. It’s designed with straps that tie or fasten at the back of the neck, and is often worn with halterneck tops or dresses, which also have a similar design with straps that also go around the neck.
Indeed, the primary purpose of the halterneck bra is that it allows you to wear backless and shoulderless tops without showing your bra straps. Yep, say goodbye to visible straps and hello to comfort, support, and a tan-line free summer!
The Demi Bra
Ideal for wearing with low-cut tops…
A demi bra, also known as a half-cup bra, is a style of bra that only partially covers the breasts. The cups on a demi bra only rise about halfway up the bust and the straps are usually set widely apart. This design helps to enhance your natural shape and is ideal to wear with low-cut tops since it doesn’t provide full coverage. It is a popular choice for both style and practicality.
The Triangle Bra
Ideal for lightweight support and comfort…
By Gina Fiorito from Getty Images via Canva
The V-shaped vixen of bras, a triangle bra sees the cups shaped as triangles. It is generally more lightweight with less structure than some other bra styles. The cups are usually made of thin material without any padding or underwire, which gives the breasts a more natural shape.
This type of bra is often made with adjustable straps and might have a front or back closure, or no closure at all (simply pulled over the head). Triangle bras are often worn for comfort, or for aesthetic purposes under certain types of clothing. The triangle bra is perfect for small to medium busts, however, if you have a larger bust, just add an underwire, speaking of which…
The Underwire Bra
Ideal for that little bit of added support…
Sometimes only an underwire will do. The purpose of one is to provide additional support and shaping to the breasts. It helps to lift, separate, shape, and provide firmness to the bra cups. Women with larger breasts might find underwire bras more comfortable because of the extra support they offer.
Underwire bras come in various styles, including full coverage, balcony, plunge, and others. It’s important to note that a well-fitted underwire should follow the natural curve of a woman’s breasts and should not dig into the chest or pinch the skin.
The Smoothing Bra
Ideal for, well, smoothing…
A smoothing bra is a type of women’s undergarment designed to create a seamless, smooth appearance under clothing. It’s often made with moulded, seamless cups and wide side bands to minimise bulges, bumps, or lines that may be visible through clothes.
The smoothing bra aims to provide an invisible lift and support, creating a flattering silhouette regardless of what you’re wearing on top. They often come in a variety of styles, including full coverage, balconette and minimiser.
The Convertible Bra
Ideal for versatile dressing…
A convertible bra is highly versatile. It’s like having a wardrobe of bras in one, making your other bras question their life choices. It comes with detachable straps that can be rearranged in different ways based on the wearer’s outfit.
The straps can often be removed completely, making the bra a strapless one, crossed in the back for racerback tops, or even positioned as a halterneck. Some convertible bras also have clear straps for outfits where traditional straps may be too noticeable. This makes the convertible bra a very flexible choice for a wide range of clothing styles.
The Unlined Bra
Ideal for the feeling of being braless…
An unlined bra is like the free-spirited cousin of the lingerie family. It comes without any backing or padding to support the cups, and because of this, it’s lightweight, less bulky, and provides a feeling of being braless. Unlined bras are designed to enhance the natural shape of the breasts, offering comfort and subtle lift. It’s the bra equivalent of going commando, but with straps!
The Push Up Bra
Ideal for showing some cleavage…
A push-up bra is a type of women’s undergarment designed to enhance the appearance of the breasts. It uses padding and closely fitted wires to lift the bust upwards and towards the centre, creating a fuller look and more pronounced cleavage. Suitable for both small and large busts, it provides extra support and can contour the breasts over time, and is often the go-to bra in a woman’s precision designed wardrobe collection.
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it. Wear one, don’t wear one… Wear two if you feel comfortable doing so. Anyway, our working day is done, and it’s time to stop wearing this pesky thing. Rejoice!
With the dampest, dingiest squib of a British summer now disappearing in a particularly fogged up rearview mirror, are you planning your 2024 holiday itinerary with something more festive and uplifting in mind? From the streets of San Francisco to the cityscapes of Sydney, next year the world will come together to celebrate love, equality, and acceptance for all. Doesn’t that sound like just the ticket?
With the promise of fun and frivolity very much in mind, here are 11 of the world’s biggest and best gay pride events to attend next year; each one a beacon of unity and a celebration of love and equality.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Australia
Every late February through early March, the city of Sydney is awash with a sea of rainbow, as hundreds of thousands of participants from various walks of life descend on the city for one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.
The centrepiece of the festivities is the Mardi Gras Parade, an extravagant event that transforms the city with sparkling costumes, elaborate floats, and energetic dance routines performed by the 12’500 marchers and 200 floats. The night-time parade attracts participants and spectators from all over the world, filling Sydney’s streets with a vibrant display of colour and pride.
This year’s main event will be the 46th of its kind, and is happening on Saturday March 2nd with the theme of ‘Our Future’ – expect cosmic, space age sparkles aplenty. The parade is free to watch from public viewing areas, but for the best experience, consider signing up for their mailing list to be the first to know when the full program and ticket details for Grandstand Seating are announced.
On top of all of that excitement, the Mardi Gras Party that follows the parade is another huge highlight. It is Australia’s biggest LGBTQ+ social event featuring a constellation of international and local music stars performing live overlooking Sydney Harbour, creating a fervent atmosphere that lasts till the early hours of the morning. 2024’s lineup is still to be announced, but it’s usually a stellar affair; last year saw Sugababes and Agnes take to the stage!
San Francisco Pride, USA
San Francisco Pride, typically held in the West Coast’s balmy late June, has a rich history dating back to the late 1960s, making it one of the oldest and largest annual LGBTQ+ Pride events worldwide. The two-day celebration culminates in a grand parade that attracts over one million participants, creating an ocean of colour and positivity across the city.
With a celebration closely tied to the city’s identity, one of the event’s most famous facets is the Pride Parade, which takes place on the final day of the celebration. The parade sees a magnificent display of vibrant floats, flamboyant costumes, and thousands of participants from diverse backgrounds, exhibiting an expressive panorama of love, acceptance, and unity.
San Francisco Pride also serves as a platform for political activism. It has been at the forefront of pivotal moments in LGBTQ+ history, including the Stonewall riots and the ongoing fight for true marriage equality. This event beautifully interweaves celebration and activism, reflecting the city’s progressive spirit.
2024’s main event will take place on 29th and 30th of June, but expect plenty of atmosphere and activity in the week leading up to this final climax.
São Paulo Gay Pride Parade, Brazil
Consistently the largest Pride event globally, São Paulo’s Gay Pride Parade is a spectacle not to be missed. This vibrant event, held in late May or early June, boasts a truly massive crowd, and an impressive lineup of floats and performances.
In fact, the São Paulo Gay Pride Parade has previously held the record for the world’s largest gay Pride parade, as recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. Although the official five-day event begins three weeks before the parade with concerts, performances, cultural fairs, and street markets, the main parade has, in the past, attracted upwards of 4 million people (though, by some estimates, 2019’s World Price NYC has since broken that record).
Numbers aside, São Paulo Pride extends well beyond the parade. It is a week-long event filled with various social and cultural activities, including debates, plays, and parties, ensuring the celebration’s spirit is imbued throughout the city.
Next year, the 24th São Paulo Gay Pride Parade is taking place on Sunday 2nd June.
Madrid Pride, Spain
Fiesta del Orgullo, commonly known as Madrid Pride, traditionally begins on the last Friday of June and continues until the first Sunday of July. The city transforms into a gigantic party filled with music, dancing, and open-air concerts. And with a magnetising Pride Parade that draws two million attendees over the course of the festivities, this event is a testimony to Spain’s increasing commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
Another trademark of Madrid Pride is the ‘pregón’, the official opening ceremony held at Plaza de Chueca, the heart of Madrid’s LGBTQ+ community. This event features famous faces from that community delivering speeches and kicking off the week-long celebration.
2024’s event will run from Tuesday June 25th to Sunday July 7th 2024, with the parade falling on Saturday 6th.
Sitges Pride, Spain
The Mediterranean beach town of Sitges, just outside Barcelona, hosts one of Europe’s most vibrant and popular LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations. Usually held in the second week of June, Sitges Pride is a week-long fiesta of diversity, inclusion, and seaside fun. Known for its incredible nightlife, charming old town, and welcoming community, Sitges encapsulates the spirit of Pride in every corner.
The town sparkles with fervour and glitz, featuring lively beach parties, a boat parade, and an array of live music, ensuring guests are entertained from dawn till dusk. Being one of the top gay-friendly destinations in Europe, Sitges Pride is an event that truly honours the LGBTQ+ community.
Though much of the event takes place on the streets, tickets are required for some of the private parties, so book well in advance if you’re keen on the full experience. Prices rocket as places and parties sell out.
What sets Amsterdam Pride apart is its unique Pride Parade, which takes place on water! The city’s Canal Parade sees extravagantly decorated boats navigate the city’s canals, providing a truly unique and memorable experience.
The festivities run from the end of July through the first week in August, with the Canal Parade on Saturday 3rd August 2024. But it’s not just about that party on the water; Amsterdam Pride is also celebrated for its week-long roster of events. The city hosts a range of activities such as parties, concerts, film screenings, sporting events, and debates, making it a cultural as well as a social event.
Toronto Pride, Canada
As the luxury gay travel experts at Mr Hudson tell us, ‘’Toronto is…one of the world’s friendliest LGBTQ cities – with a vibrant community to match.’’
No wonder, then, that Toronto Pride Is now considered one of Canada’s most significant events, renowned for its extensive celebration that marks an entire ‘Pride Month’, typically spanning the month of June. This prolonged period of festivities sets it apart from many other Pride celebrations worldwide.
Toronto Pride is famous for its celebration’s grandeur, featuring a series of events like street festivals, concerts, cultural programmes, family activities, and dance parties held across the city. The culmination, however, is the Pride Parade, a flamboyant spectacle of colourful floats, marching groups, music, and dance. The streets of Toronto come alive with vibrant displays, and the city radiates with an atmosphere of acceptance, love, and unity.
Another distinctive aspect of Toronto Pride is the Trans March, which is one of the largest events of its kind in Canada and around the globe. This event underscores Toronto Pride’s commitment to inclusivity by amplifying voices from all spectrums of the LGBTQ+ community.
Brighton Pride, UK
Known for its jubilant spirit and welcoming atmosphere, Brighton Pride is considered one of the best Pride events in the world. This multi-day festival, next year held from 2nd to 4th August, combines a parade, a music festival, and a massive dance party, making it the ultimate in UK pride events.
The colourful Pride Parade that winds through the city’s streets, showcasing a variety of floats, marching bands, and performers, is perhaps the highlight. The parade represents a broad spectrum of LGBTQ+ organisations, businesses, community groups, and more, making it a vibrant display of unity and inclusivity.
Adding to its fame is its Pride Festival – Pride in the Park – which features live musical performances from top international and local acts. The event’s ability to attract high-calibre artists has transformed it into a music festival as much as a Pride event, offering an exciting blend of celebration and advocacy. The festival attracts some huge name headliners; recent stars to top the bill have included Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, and Nile Rogers and Chic. Wow!
Moreover, Brighton Pride is known for its Pride Village Party, an exciting extravaganza that transforms the Kemptown neighbourhood of this ever inclusive city into a carnival with its outdoor stages, dance tents, and street food stalls. This party, together with the full line-up of cultural events, parties, and social activities throughout the Pride weekend, contributes to Brighton’s reputation as a city of acceptance and celebration.
EuroPride, Various European Countries
Unlike other Pride events that have a fixed location, EuroPride moves about the European continent each year, providing a unique cultural perspective on Pride festivities. 2024’s event, held in Thessaloniki, Greece from the 21st the the 29th of June, promises to bring an unparalleled celebration of love and acceptance, complete with parades, cultural events, and some of the most passionate advocates for equal rights.
It’s an event that truly embodies a spirit of unity and shared community throughout Europe, and if the brilliant bonanza in Malta just a few weeks ago is anything to go by, then 2024 is going to be a blast!
Tokyo Rainbow Pride, Japan
As the largest Pride event in Japan, Tokyo Rainbow Pride is an absolute must for any travel itinerary. This week-long celebration, held in late April to early May, includes parties, film screenings, and lectures, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in Japan’s bustling sense of community. The event reaches its apex with the vibrant Pride parade, providing a colourful array of costumes, musicians, and dancing that beautifully underscores Japan’s growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Tokyo Rainbow Pride is also famous for its extensive, extravagant festival, held in the city’s gorgeous Yoyogi Park. This festival includes live musical performances, food stalls, information booths from various companies and organisations supporting the LGBTQ+ cause, and a family-friendly zone, making it an inclusive event for everyone.
Cape Town Pride, South Africa
Cape Town Pride, held in late February or early March, captivates attendees with its collection of art and cultural events, parties, and the grand finale – the Pride Parade and the Pride Festival Mardi Gras. Alongside that incredible parade and festival, events include the Mr & Miss Cape Town Pride pageant, Divas Extravaganza, movie nights, book nights and poetry evenings. Yep, there really is something for everyone here.
But most importantly, Cape Town Pride aims to emphasise the importance of LGBTQ+ rights, with 2023’s event marking 28 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Africa. 2024’s promises to be bigger and more important than ever.
The Bottom Line
These events are more than just parties and parades; they are a visible stand against discrimination and prejudice. So, in 2024, make sure you experience the vibrancy, solidarity, and passion that these events offer and join the world in promoting love, equality, and diversity.
If you’ve been living under a digitally-detox shaped rock for the past six months or so then perhaps you might want to return there, because the horror stories about Artificial Intelligence (AI) only seem to be growing louder.
But on the more everyday end of the spectrum, AI is already revolutionising the 21st-century job market. This transformative technology is spurring innovation, but simultaneously, many fear it will make their roles redundant.
But rather than perceiving AI as a threat to employability, it’s beneficial to view it as an opportunity – a tool that, if embraced, could put you ahead of the professional curve.
There’s no doubt that AI technology is accelerating growth, spurring innovation, and transforming careers in myriad ways, some potentially positive, and some arguably likely to be negative. With that in mind, here’s how to make sure AI is helping your career prospects rather than hindering them.
An Imperative, Not A Choice
Just as we’ve adapted the way we work to incorporate previous innovations, whether that’s the industrial revolution or the internet, keeping abreast of new technologies, including AI, is no longer optional; it’s a necessity.
The first step in leveraging AI for your career is understanding its role in your particular field and then embracing it willingly. Whether you’re a doctor, teacher, administrator or, well, just about anything else, AI offers tools and techniques to increase efficiency, productivity, and accuracy in your work. Because as those in-the-know have been increasingly positing, AI won’t put you out of a job; someone using AI will.
Developing AI-Specific Skills
Upskilling and reskilling with a focus on AI are potentially effective ways to enhance your employability in an AI-driven job market. Consider the following steps to do just that:
Learning Fundamentals: Enrolling in courses that teach AI basics can aid in understanding how this technology can impact your role and offer innovative solutions to industry challenges.
Advanced Training: Working professionals might consider more specialised courses. For example, a healthcare professional might benefit from a course on AI’s role in diagnostics and data analysis.
Certification Programmes: Several online platforms offer certification in AI specialisation. Having such credentials can significantly boost your career prospects.
Nurture Your Soft Skills
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, it’s vital to nurture your innately human qualities if you’re to get ahead here. While AI can manage quantitative tasks efficiently, it falls short in areas requiring human touch – creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. Therefore, cultivating these soft skills can ensure that you remain valuable in an AI-dominated landscape.
Communication: No AI can match the effectiveness of human communication, which involves both verbal and non-verbal cues. Developing effective communication skills can enhance team collaboration and both customer and client interaction.
Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage emotions is a uniquely human trait. High emotional intelligence can lead to better team management and improved customer service.
Creativity: Creativity, a vital component of problem-solving and innovation, is a skill that AI can’t replicate. Encouraging creativity can lead to novel solutions and ideas that give you an edge over AI.
Adaptability: The Key To Thriving
To ensure your employability in an increasingly AI-driven world, adaptability is crucial. Successful adaptation involves upgrading your skills, gaining digital literacy, and nurturing an agile mindset that can navigate the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Digital Literacy: Gaining competency in basic digital skills is essential. Understanding how to navigate, evaluate, and create digital content can make you more comfortable and efficient in an AI-influenced job scenario.
Agile Mindset: An agile mindset involves the ability to learn from experiences and adapt to changes quickly. This mindset encourages continuous learning and promotes resilience, an invaluable trait in the face of change.
Careers That Artificial Intelligence Could Most Dramatically Benefit & Disrupt
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology whose influence on different sectors is continually expanding. As it becomes more ingrained in our daily life, AI will significantly impact various careers and professions, creating new opportunities and challenges. Here’s a quick rundown of those we think might be most affected.
Industries That May Well Benefit Hugely From AI
Though the diversity of jobs impacted by AI are hard to predict, here are three careers that are commonly believed to be well-positioned to benefit from increasing innovation in the field…
Healthcare
AI’s potential in healthcare is promising. Machine learning can analyse vast amounts of data, detect patterns, make accurate predictions and assist clinicians in diagnosing diseases.
Furthermore, AI can automate administrative tasks, from healthcare recruitment to medical record keeping, thus saving time for healthcare professionals. Robotic technology, driven by AI, can enhance surgical precision, reducing the risk of complications. Jobs that will benefit considerably in this sector include radiologists, surgeons, and hospital administrators.
Rather than seeing AI as a threat, professionals should utilise it as a tool for enhancing diagnosis and treatment. Keeping updated with the latest AI advancements can help to make more informed and accurate decisions. For example, radiologists are increasingly seeing the huge potential in using AI to help process and interpret imaging data more accurately and efficiently.
Education
Education is another field where AI is making significant inroads, thanks to adaptive learning platforms and personalised learning. It can aid in grading assignments, identifying gaps in teaching methods, and creating customised content for students. Educators, school administrators, and edtech entrepreneurs are among the careers that stand to gain from AI in this sector.
By implementing AI solutions such as personalised learning platforms, teachers can manage classrooms effectively and focus more on individual students’ needs. AI can be utilised as an additional teaching aid, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks and grading, allowing more time for direct student engagement and mentorship.
Manufacturing
AI, coupled with robotics, is transforming the manufacturing industry. It allows for predictive maintenance, efficient inventory management, and enhanced safety measures. Crucially, it delivers an avenue for personalised and high-quality products. Jobs that will benefit include manufacturing engineers, safety officers, and quality control inspectors.
Workers in this industry can use AI and robotics to manage repetitive tasks, reducing the risk of accidents and improving efficiency and productivity. By learning to operate and maintain these systems, they can augment their skills and increase their value in the job market, rather than being replaced by them.
Industries & Careers That AI Is Likely To Disrupt
There will, sadly, be jobs and careers detrimentally affected by developments in AI. Here are three that many have predicted will be disrupted…
Transport
While the transport industry stands to benefit from AI through autonomous vehicles, it may also severely disrupt many jobs. AI has the potential to replace human drivers in taxis, trucks, and delivery vehicles, thus disrupting the livelihood of millions who work in these roles.
As autonomous vehicles become more common, drivers may consider roles that require a human touch, like supervision or vehicle maintenance. Learning to operate and repair autonomous systems could ensure job security in the evolving transport industry.
Customer Services
Chatbots and AI assistants have significantly revolutionised customer service by providing instant responses and support round the clock. However, this technological shift could pose a risk to jobs like call centre operatives and customer service representatives.
Rather than being replaced by chatbots, customer service professionals should focus on complex queries that require human empathy and understanding. Developing skills such as conflict resolution, negotiation and psychological understanding can never be replaced by AI.
Administrative Roles
AI algorithms can handle tasks like scheduling meetings, data entry, and basic customer interactions, thereby posing a significant threat to administrative roles, including secretaries and personal assistants.
To combat this, it might be wise to focus on tasks that require a high level of creativity and interpersonal skills, such as relationship building, negotiation, and strategic planning. Learning how to use AI software can also help streamline operations, making you an invaluable asset to your team.
The Bottom Line
AI’s impact on various careers is a double-edged sword. While it creates unprecedented opportunities in some sectors, it may potentially disrupt others. It’s essential that individuals, businesses, and governments anticipate these changes and prepare adequately. That could involve reskilling workers in threatened roles, implementing policies to cushion those affected, or nurturing a workforce that can coexist functionally with AI. The collaborative effort of participants on every rung of the career ladder – from entry level to executive – is crucial in ensuring that the AI revolution is a boon rather than a bane in the job market.
Sri Lanka, often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, is a beautiful island nation that offers its visitors a diverse array of cultural experiences, stunning landscapes, and rich biodiversity.
Earlier this year, Forbes voted the country as one of the best to travel to in the world, citing the hustle and bustle of capital city Colombo, the country’s beautiful beaches and bountiful rice fields, waterfalls and mountains, and the splendour of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Kandy as just some of the reasons to make the long haul flight here.
As such a coveted place to visit, Sri Lanka is also a country that heavily depends on tourism for its economic growth. That said, in the last few years, Sri Lanka has suffered several blows to its tourism industry; there were the Easter terror attacks that rocked the country back in 2019, and, more recently, the country has battled both COVID-19 and an economic crisis.
Luckily, it looks like tourism is once again on the rise; last year Sri Lanka received over 700,000 tourists compared to under 195,000 in 2021. Rejoice! That said, such an influx back to the country can leave its mark, and as tourism continues to grow, sustainable travel becomes ever more crucial to the Sri Lanka, helping the country can preserve its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Sri Lanka is taking steps to ensure sustainable travel is possible in the country. In 2021 they became members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to strengthen the islands position as a sustainable destination. At the time of joining the Sri Lankan Tourism Chairperson said that “Sri Lanka is a small island vulnerable to climate change with its tourism product heavily dependent on natural resources, hence it is essential to develop the industry in a sustainable manner.”
With this in mind, here are some top tips for a sustainable holiday to Sri Lanka.
All Aboard The Sustainability Train
If you speak to anyone who has set foot on Sri Lankan soil, no doubt they will tell you about the unforgettable train journey they took into the beautiful hills of Sri Lanka. Indeed, taking the train in Sri Lanka is a rewarding experience, chugging past women picking tea, kids waving at the train, and an ever changing lush and verdant landscape.
The journey from Colombo to Kandy, in particular, is a stunner, and is renowned worldwide for its scenic beauty. The route is so enchantingly beautiful, in fact, that it’s become a bucket list for many visitors and always features in lists of the top train journeys in the world. What’s more, it’s also one of the most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint while travelling here.
Sri Lanka, an island nation, is endowed with remarkable biodiversity, including lush rainforests, varied wildlife, and idyllic beaches. Undeniably, these are delicate ecosystems that can be disturbed by tourists renting private cars. Enter its extensive network of public trains that connect various cities and towns. Not only are these modes of transport cost-effective, but they also provide an opportunity to experience the local culture and breathtaking views of the countryside up close and personal.
While riding elephants may seem like an exciting activity, it often involves cruel treatment of these magnificent creatures. Instead, opt for wildlife safaris that respect animal rights and promote conservation. According to the travel experts at Selective Asia, Leopard Trails is one of the best safari operators in Sri Lanka and operate camps both Wilpattu and Yala.
They tell us that “Leopard Trails has a strong commitment to responsible tourism. As part of their strategy to benefit local people, they do not have their own vehicles but rather employ local drivers and their jeeps as a package.”
Continuing, they say that the safari company’s compassion towards Sri Lankan wildlife and its future is clear. By choosing a company involved in environmental conservation efforts, you are indirectly contributing to the preservation of natural attractions which are crucial for sustainable travel.
Selective Asia also offers an insider tip; that Uda Walawe is an often overlooked National Park and has the most impressive herd of elephants. At the park, “all efforts are made to minimize human contact with the elephants, but you can watch them being fed and bathed, and head out for a dusk drive through the park to spot a herd on the move”. At this time it’s not unusual to see whole herds feeding, bathing or just playing in the water”.
And that’s music to our (relatively small) ears.
Supporting Non-Profit Organisations
If you want to travel sustainably in Sri Lanka, then consider supporting non-profit organisations like SeaSisters and the Sambol Foundation, both of whom are doing commendable work in Sri Lanka in areas of marine conservation and community, respectively, working towards the upliftment of local communities.
Supporting such organisations can foster community-based tourism, a form of travel that benefits local populations economically and socially. Help non-profits like these by participating in their programs, volunteer, or make donations, in turn making a positive impact on the local community and environment.
Eco Lodges & Homestays
Making every effort to prioritise sustainable accommodation is another significant aspect of responsible tourism. Many eco lodges and hotels in Sri Lanka are committed to minimising their environmental impact by using renewable energy sources, recycling waste, and implementing water-saving measures. These establishments often offer unique experiences, such as treehouse living or beachfront cottages, enhancing your connection with nature. Some of the most popular eco-friendly stays include:
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sigiriya: Set among reed beds and paddy fields, Jetwing Vil Uyana features thatched-roof dwellings with luxurious amenities. The hotel has a strong commitment to sustainability and conservation, with initiatives such as wastewater treatment systems, solar power, and strict waste management.
Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla: Designed by renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel blends seamlessly into its surroundings. It has been awarded for its sustainability efforts including rainwater harvesting, recycling, and employing local staff.
Tri Lanka, Koggala: An eco-friendly luxury hotel that combines sustainable practices with contemporary design. It’s known for its green roofs, solar-powered energy, and locally sourced materials and food.
Rainforest Ecolodge, Deniyaya: Nestled on the edge of the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rainforest Ecolodge offers guests an immersive experience in biodiversity conservation, all while ensuring the comfort of a luxury stay.
Gal Oya Lodge, Ampara: Located in the heart of Gal Oya National Park, the lodge offers a unique opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s wildlife while staying in environmentally friendly bungalows constructed from locally sourced materials. It also practices sustainable methods like recycling and composting, and employs and trains local community members.
Sustainable tourism is also about propelling economic development and helping to create jobs for locals linked to the travel sector and indirectly in allied sectors such as local craft industries, fishing and agriculture. By using a homestay, you’ll get closer to the ‘real Sri Lanka’, and gain an authentic experience of Sri Lankan life.
What’s more, you contribute directly to their income, support the local economy, and get an opportunity to learn about their customs and traditions firsthand. Whilst the online platform homestay.com offers access to this kind of accommodation, both booking.com and AirBnb can help facilitate a similar arrangement via their ‘private’ and ‘shared’ room options.
Homestays in Sri Lanka are plentiful and affordable. Sri Lankans are ridiculously warm, hospitable people meaning it’s a brilliant way to experience the life of a local, particularly in terms of food. Sri Lankans love to eat at home, and the street food and restaurant culture isn’t quite the same beast as other Asian tourist hotspots. Finding a cheap restaurant doing really good, authentic fare isn’t always easy, so a homestay is perhaps the best way you’ll eat really well and engage meaningfully with locals. Speaking of which…
Eat Locally & Take Cooking Lessons From Locals
Taking cooking lessons from locals is not only a fun way to learn about Sri Lankan cuisine, but is also a means to support the local economy. These interactive sessions provide insight into traditional cooking methods, local ingredients, and the culture surrounding food. Plus, you get to enjoy a delicious meal at the end! Moreover, returning with a few new dishes in your repertoire, learnt from those who understand Sri Lankan food implicitly? Sounds like just the ticket to us and the recipe for a dream foodie trip to us!
Sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka and anywhere else in the world is about making conscious choices – from the mode of transport and accommodation to activities and experiences. By choosing to travel sustainably, we can help preserve the natural and cultural treasures of this beautiful island nation for generations to come.
Do you find yourself making grand promises to start exercising only to fall short a few weeks in? Or perhaps you used to love breaking a sweat, but somehow, along the line, you’ve lost all motivation. Don’t fret, though. Even the most health-conscious among us can lose their way now and then. What you need is a fresh perspective and a new lease of motivation.
Sure, we’re all so well versed in the value of exercise that we needn’t list the benefits, both to your physical and mental wellbeing, once again. But even with utter confidence of just how good working out is for you, it can be still challenging to motivate yourself to exercise, with other distractions such as work, family life, and all those entertainment options getting in the way.
Fear not. The journey to a healthier lifestyle does not have to be an arduous one. It’s all about finding the right workouts, the proper mindset and a community of supportive people to push you forward.You are a superhero, and you can juggle all of it, with these; our tips on how to find new motivation for exercise.
Discovering Your Happy Sweat
One of the greatest misconceptions about exercise is that it’s a one-size-fits-all affair. In reality, though, what works for one person might not work for another. The key is to find an exercise form that you genuinely enjoy – or as we love to call it, your happy sweat.
If running on a treadmill or lifting weights feels like a chore, it might be because these exercises don’t suit you. Why not try dancing, yoga, or martial arts instead? Think outside the box; exercise is not confined to the walls of a gym.
Remember, your ‘happy sweat’ could be anything that gets your heart rate up. Explore different activities until you find one that makes you look forward to your workout. After all, you are more likely to stick to a routine if you love what you’re doing.
Embrace Team Sports
If you’re the kind of person who thrives in a community setting, team sports could be just the ticket to reignite your passion for exercise. Team sports bring a unique blend of camaraderie, competition, and fun that can make the physical exertion feel less like a chore.
Football, for instance, requires agility, strength, and stamina. It not only challenges your body but also your mind, strategy being fundamental to the game. Plus, the thrill of scoring a goal or making a significant save is a feeling like no other. You don’t even need to make any major investments; jumpers for goalposts in your local park, joining a neighbourhood five-a-side team, or simply setting up football goals in your garden is all the gear you need to get going!
Aside from the obvious fitness benefits, joining a team sport can also foster a sense of belonging. You are not just working out; you’re striving towards a common goal with your teammates, celebrating victories, and collectively growing from defeats. This sense of community can be a massive boost to your motivation and consistency.
Or, Find A Fitness Buddy
Similar to team sports but a little more intimate, the best catalyst to commitment out there comes for free; a fitness buddy. Because let’s face it; positive peer pressure is one hell of a motivator. And going to the gym or setting off on a jog with a partner or friend simply makes exercise more fun and less of a chore. Not only does having an exercise partner provide a social aspect, but it will also stop you from cancelling your fitness plans whenever temptation comes calling. If you can’t find a fitness buddy, consider hiring a personal trainer to put you through your paces.
Set Everything Up The Night Before
We know what it’s like; looking for any and every excuse not to get up, out and exercise. Raindrops on the windows? Result. Early morning meeting? Just this once. Gym kit not packed? No chance am I doing it now.
So, while you may not be able to control the weather or have as much autonomy as you’d like over work, you can make things easy for yourself, motivation wise, by having everything set up and ready to go the night before. That means having your work clothes and lunch laid out and ready, as well as your gym bag packed, including toiletries, a water bottle and your headphones. You can also have a snack ready to eat, and coffee waiting to be brewed. Then it’s as easy as rolling out of bed and onto the treadmill.
Establish A Routine
It can be challenging to exercise daily, especially for those who have busy schedules or who are unable to dedicate a certain amount of time to exercise each day. But routine is sloth’s worst enemy, and simply getting into one can really push on your exercise regime.
So, do your best to devote the same time each day to your exercise, such as before work or before you go to sleep, as this will increase the likelihood of completing your exercise regime. The best time to carry out exercise is any time that fits effortlessly into your schedule, as this helps you to focus on your fitness and exercise on a more regular basis.
Sync Exercise With Your Daily Routine
Even better, perhaps, is integrating workouts into your daily routine, which can make them less intimidating and more maintainable. Cycle to work instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the lift, or do a quick workout during your lunch break. Exercise doesn’t always have to be a separate, time-consuming task.
Invest In A Smartwatch
If you need a constant reminder to exercise regularly, and that gym buddy of yours is prone to the same occasional slackness as you, then you should consider investing in a smartwatch. Smartwatches can track your fitness throughout the day by monitoring your step count and heart rate. They also send you alerts when you need to exercise to achieve your fitness goals.
You should set a small reward for yourself as this will ensure that you’re not deterred by any inability to meet impossible tasks. Even better, exercise-themed rewards can encourage you to work out more often to use your new products. Some of the best reward ideas include buying a luxury healthcare product, such as skin cream, or investing in athleticwear.
The Bottom Line
The path to staying fit requires regular exercise, but that doesn’t mean it has to be monotonous or unappealing. It’s all about finding what you enjoy, fostering community, setting achievable goals, and integrating fitness into your everyday life. So, explore your options, find your happy sweat, and remember, every step you take is a step closer to a healthier, happier you.
As the largest island of the Balearic chain off the northeast coast of Spain, Majorca is a gastronomic paradise that seamlessly blends classic Mediterranean cooking with historical influences from the Roman Empire, the Moors, North Africa, Catalonia, and, of course, Spain.
The capital city, Palma, sometimes referred to as the ”pearl of the Mediterranean”, offers a vibrant, alfresco lifestyle brimming with Mediterranean flair and a rich culinary scene steeped in tradition.
The heart of Majorcan cuisine, known locally as ‘Mallorquin’ food, lies in its use of pork, fish, and vegetables, generously seasoned with garlic and olive oil, as the food blogger and Masterchef judge Leyla Kazim explains in her fantastic food blog, the Cutlery Chronicles. This hearty home-cooking style is deeply rooted in local traditions and ingredients found on the island, including almonds, olives, walnuts, lemons, and salt from the natural salt plains in the south.
If you’re wondering where to eat the very best versions of traditional Mallorquin dishes in Palma, then you’ve come to the right place; no, not Palma, silly, but rather, our guide on where to eat traditional food in the Majorcan capital.
Sopas Mallorquinas at Celler Pages
One of the most traditional dishes you can find in Palma is sopas Mallorquinas. These dense and hearty soups are perfect for chilly days up in the Tramuntana Mountains. The ingredients follow the seasons, but typically include slices of local bread, onion, garlic, tomatoes, cabbage and beans, all brought together with a generous glug of local olive oil.
At Celler Pages, one of Palma’s most cherished culinary institutions, you’ll find sopas Mallorquinas done in the traditional style, alongside many of the other dishes on our list.
Ensaimada for Breakfast at Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo
No culinary journey (or day!) of Palma would be complete without trying the famous ensaimada, a puff pastry rolled into a spiral shape and made with flour, eggs, yeast, sugar and lard. This pastry is considered one of the wonders of the island and is easily the most famous sweet treat from Majorca.
The best time to enjoy this swirl of light, fluffy pastry is in the morning, dunked in a cup of hot coffee. You’ll find plates of them served at most buffet breakfasts across the island, including one of the many 5 star hotels in Majorca by Iberostar, of which our favourite sits in prime position on Playa de Palma, the capital’s gorgeous, sprawling beach. Wash it down with a refreshing glass of horchata de almendras, otherwise known as ‘the drink of the gods’, and you’ll be well set for the day.
Alternatively, for a true taste of tradition, Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo is one of the oldest establishments in Palma. Dating back to the 18th century, it’s especially famous for its ensaimada and almond ice cream.
By Lunamarina via Canva
Caldereta at La Bodeguilla
Caldereta is a famous Balearic stew, known for its rich, hearty flavour profile. It’s traditionally made using lobster, although variations can include other types of meat or seafood. The stew is characterised by its aromatic blend of spices, tomatoes, onions and peppers, which are slowly simmered to create a savoury depth of flavour.
The version at Michelin-recognised La Bodeguilla is particularly fine, rich with a copper-tainted lobster stock and shaken with enthusiasm whilst bubbling until the lobster’s natural juices have emulsified. Order plenty of bread to soak things up.
Another seafood delight on the island is the squid a la Mallorquina, a dish featuring squid stewed in a sauce of tomato, onion, garlic, and spicy paprika.
The rendition at revered tapas joint La Rosa Vermuteria sees local squid kissed by the grill until blistered and burnished, and served with a garlic infused squid ink sauce.
Tumbet at Celler sa Premsa
Tumbet is another must-try Mallorquin speciality. This vegetarian-friendly dish is similar to ratatouille and can be enjoyed alone as a meal in and of itself, or with a fish side, but it’s at Celler sa Premsa that our favourite version is made, served with a side of crisp, giving suckling pig.
For a fish-adjacent version, the aforementioned La Rosa Vermuteria serves their tumbet with crisp John Dory each and every Friday.
Coca de Trampo at Mercat de Pere Garau
Another fantastic vegetarian treat is coca de trampo, a local pizza of sorts topped with red and green peppers, tomatoes and onions. At Majorca’s 1000 square foot food market, Mercat de Pere Garau, there are several stalls selling this gorgeous snack.
Sobrasada at La Taberna de la Bóveda
Sobrassada is considered one of the island’s signature delicacies. It is a red sausage made from ground pork, paprika and various spices, sometimes served raw and spreadable, and sometimes grilled and a little more chunky.
Famed for its extensive selection of cured meats, you’ll find exemplary sobrasada at La Taberna de la Bóveda.
Verderol at Mercat de L’Olivar
Seafood lovers should not miss out on verderol, a type of fish native to the waters near Majorca. The traditional Mallorquin version is prepared with spinach and sweet onion baked on top of the fish.
At one of Palma’s premier food markets, Mercat de L’Olivar, you’ll see piles of enticing fresh produce, from the island’s acclaimed olives and almonds to just caught fish and shellfish. The best part? Choose a fish and they’ll happily cook it for you in one of the bars upstairs. Choose a vederol and ask for it prepared the traditional Majorcan way. What could be fresher than that?
Lomo con Col at Restaurante La Balanguera
For meat enthusiasts, lomo con col, a dish made from pan-fried pork wrapped in cabbage with possible additions of sobrasada, apricot, pine nuts, and raisins, is a must-try. Another popular meat dish is frito Mallorquin, a versatile serving consisting of pan-fried vegetables from the island, such as peppers, onions, eggplant, potatoes and artichokes, all fried with lamb or lamb organs.
We love Restaurante la Balanguera’s take on the dish, which keeps things traditional rather than any attempt to ‘refine’ proceedings, the tangle of salty pork, cabbage and vegetables arriving in a generous, enticing pile. Heaven!
In today’s increasingly innovative, neurotic world, the beauty industry is experiencing a constant evolution of trends and techniques. From hair transformations to skincare innovations, the realm of salon services is always at the forefront of these changes.
Together with the beauty specialists over at theyou, today we’re exploring the latest trending salon services that are modernising beauty’s ever-evolving landscape. Care to join us for a facial?
Lash Extensions: Framing The So-Called Windows To The Soul
Lash extensions have taken the beauty world by storm, offering folk the opportunity to enhance their natural eyelashes with longer, fuller, and curvier extensions. With various lash styles to choose from – be it the dramatic ‘Russian Volume’ or the more subtle ‘Classic’ – clients can customise their look to match their personality and desired aesthetic, framing the so-called ‘windows to the soul’ with skill and precision.
Lash extensions not only eliminate the need for mascara but also provide a time-saving solution for those with a busy lifestyle.
Microblading: Sculpting Perfect Brows
Gone are the days of over plucked eyebrows. Microblading, a semi-permanent eyebrow enhancement technique, has gained immense popularity for its ability to create natural-looking, beautifully sculpted brows.
By meticulously implanting pigment into the skin using fine strokes, beauticians can craft eyebrows that match clients’ facial features and preferences. This service is a game-changer for those seeking defined, effortless brows that withstand the test of time and frame the face beautifully.
Balayage & Hair Painting: Effortless Elegance
Traditional hair colouring techniques have evolved into more artistic and dynamic methods like balayage and hair painting. These techniques involve hand-painting colour onto the hair in a way that mimics the natural patterns of light and shade. The result? Sun-kissed, dimensional locks that exude a sense of effortless elegance. Balayage and hair painting offer a low-maintenance option for hair colour, as regrowth is seamless and blends harmoniously with the existing tones.
For those battling frizz and unruly hair, keratin treatments have become a saving grace. This hair-smoothing procedure infuses the hair with keratin, a protein that strengthens and repairs. The result is silky, frizz-free hair that remains manageable even in humid conditions. Keratin treatments have evolved to cater to different hair types, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the benefits of smoother, more manageable hair, though do be aware that some concerns remain about the treatment’s effect on hair health.
Nail Artistry & Extensions: A Canvas At (Or On!) Your Fingertips
Nail services have transcended the simple manicure and pedicure routine. Nail artistry and extensions have transformed nails into miniature canvases for creative expression. From intricate designs and patterns to bold colours and embellishments, clients can adorn their nails with unique and personalised art.
Nail extensions, whether achieved through acrylics, gels, or other techniques, provide length and strength for those seeking a more dramatic nail look.
HydraFacials: Revolutionising Skincare
HydraFacials have revolutionised the traditional facial experience. This multi-step treatment involves cleansing, exfoliating, extracting impurities, and hydrating the skin using a specialised device.
This innovative type of facial is suitable for all skin types and can address a range of concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to acne and hyperpigmentation. The treatment leaves clients with a radiant complexion and a refreshed feeling.
Brow Lamination: The Solution For Fuller Brows
Brow lamination is another trending service that aims to give clients fuller, fluffier eyebrows. Through a gentle perming process, brow hairs are brushed and set into a desired shape, creating a thicker appearance. This service is particularly beneficial for those with sparse or unruly eyebrows, as it provides a well-groomed look that lasts for weeks.
Holistic Beauty: Merging Beauty & Wellness
Incorporating wellness practices into beauty services is a growing trend in the industry. Many salons now offer holistic treatments that blend relaxation techniques with traditional beauty services.
Clients can enjoy mindfulness sessions, aromatherapy, and even meditation alongside their hair, skin, or nail treatments. This fusion of beauty and wellness provides a comprehensive and rejuvenating experience.
Men’s Grooming Services: Beyond The Basic Short Back & Sides
The demand for men’s grooming services has seen a significant rise, extending well beyond the basic haircut. Salons now offer specialised services such as beard grooming, facials designed for male skin, and even manicures tailored to men’s preferences. This shift reflects the changing landscape of masculinity and the increasing importance of self-care for men.
Virtual Beauty Consultations: Navigating The Digital Age
Advancements in technology have given rise to virtual beauty consultations. Clients can now connect with beauticians and stylists online to discuss their beauty goals, receive personalised recommendations, and even virtually try on different looks. This digital approach enhances convenience and accessibility, making beauty consultations more accessible to a broader audience.
The Bottom Line
The world of salon services is continually evolving, offering a plethora of innovative options to cater to every individual’s unique beauty needs. From lash extensions and microblading to holistic beauty experiences and virtual consultations, the beauty industry is embracing change and setting new standards for client satisfaction. As trends come and go, one thing remains constant: the dedication of beauticians and salons to helping clients look and feel their best.
Humans are creatures of routine, and never has the sense of comfort found in schedule and predictability been more keenly felt than during the recent, ongoing pandemic.
As the Conversation writes “For the vast majority of us, routine helps us cope with the continual flow of decisions that face us in everyday life’’, and we couldn’t agree more.
If you’re wondering how to automate your day and maximise its potential, leaving you with a distraction-free headspace to tackle life’s tough decisions with full focus, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 7 IDEAL self care routines to adopt today.
A MORNING & BREAKFAST ROUTINE
An effective morning ritual can consist of pretty much anything, from a small prayer, making the bed or just a few stretching exercises, to something more substantial like a heavy workout. The trick is in observing it devotedly. Here’s a weekday routine we think works well:
Wake up and hydrate with a glass of water and a herbal tea
Sit at the breakfast table and have a fresh, organic breakfast – perhaps cereal with strawberries and blueberries, followed by a coffee while reading a newspaper rather than peering into a screen
Dress for the day, clean teeth and such
Walk around the block to get some fresh air and realign your focus for the day
Return and start work with a sense of reinvigoration
How do you start your day?
A SKINCARE ROUTINE
The importance of a good skincare routine shouldn’t be underestimated. In fact, Dr Akvile Ignotaite, via Medium, goes as far as to say that it should be your most important habit.
Since a well-observed skincare routine bookends the day, it represents a small act of selfcare to set you up and to wind you down every single day, and what could be more valuable than that? Here at IDEAL, we’re avid followers of Dr Haushka’s skin care rituals, which are organic, gentle and simple, but still feel like a major spot of pampering.
Humans are social creatures, dependent on the validation, support and even occasional criticism of their peers for survival. Spending time with loved ones is one of the best things you can do for your mental health; the fact that you can’t meet up with people face-to-face so easily right now shouldn’t stand in your way.
Set a date each month to meet up with a group of friends or family members, or make it part of your routine to have a daily check in with loved ones on Zoom or even over WhatsApp. Making contact feel special and meaningful, as well as predictable, is particularly reassuring for the more elderly members of your family or friendship circle, so make an effort to schedule socialising into your calendar rather than leave it to chance.
AN EXERCISE ROUTINE
We’re sure we don’t need to extol the virtues of daily exercise. It’s been reported and repeated time and time again that partaking in 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day (or 150 minutes a week, in total) is arguably the very best thing you can do for your health and wellbeing.
That said, without an exercise routine, it can be all too easy to find excuses and distractions not to work out. But if you do have a strict routine, the whole process feels, conversely, much more manageable. So, get into a routine of working out at the same time every day, meaning working out becomes an automated part of your day, and one which you’re not ‘allowed’ to put off.
To make things easier, create an exercise routine that you actually enjoy.
If you want to start eating more healthily, then home is where the heart is. By cooking more at home, not only can you monitor exactly what goes into your food, but you can also control calories, reduce salt levels and manage the amount of fat you’re consuming, too.
That said, should you struggle to get enough nutrition from your diet, then a daily routine of supplementing could be a wise idea, too. Right now, there’s growing evidence that a daily dose of a probiotic supplement could have a massively positive impact on our digestive health, while many others take a multivitamin to ensure that, alongside their diet, they’re getting all of the vitamins and nutrients they need.
A GUIDED MEDITATION ROUTINE
A daily guided meditation is another great way to tackle the endless, unhelpful rumination on the day’s issues which seems to blight bedtime. A simple, ten minute session before bed can actually trigger the body’s ‘relaxation response’ wherein heart rate and blood pressure fall, allowing you to be body-ready for sleep. Which brings us to our next point…
A BEDTIME ROUTINE
Bedtime routines are for kids, we hear you say. Arms folded, bottom lip curled, stomping your foot a little….
Rather than keep you (we’ve spent the day together, after all, and we’re both tired…), let us direct you to our article on 5 IDEAL steps to the perfect bedtime routine. Good night!
